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March 23, 2001, Chandigarh, India |
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Land acquisition notices for Anandgarh
soon Chandigarh, March 22 The notices will be issued in phases. Sangariwala village has been selected to be the first in this regard for which notices are likely to be issued in a couple of days. The area comprises of 285 acres of land and notices to the 235 owners are reportedly ready. When asked why this particular village to be the first and not any other, an officer in the Anandgarh Development Authority (ADA) said, “the notice to the villages will be issued in phases and for this we had to start from one side.” According to him Sangariwala will form the information technology area in the proposed plan of the township. Villagers of Milkh and Mastgarh will get notices in the next week. Interestingly, Kansal happens to be the first village if one goes by the ADA logic of starting from one side. But according to sources in the ADA, the village was left out for the “time being” to avoid any dispute with some political bigwigs. It is learnt that some of the Punjab MLAs have reportedly purchased land in the village. Once notice under Section 9 of the Act is issued the owners of the land will be given a 15-day time to state the nature of their respective interest in the land and the amount and particulars of their claims to compensation for such interest. The Punjab Chief Secretary, Mr N. K. Arora, in response to a question whether the government at a later stage may allow the MLA colony to come up in the village, said “There is no such move in the government”. Based on a sample size of 574 respondents out of which 294 were from Chandigarh and 140 from SAS Nagar and Panchkula, each, the Anandgarh Development Authority claims that 50 per cent of the respondents of these three townships will prefer to shift to the new township. A survey conducted by C B Richard Ellis, a real estate consultant stated that 60 per cent respondents indicated preference to buy plots against flats and four per cent of residents in Chandigarh indicated preference for the farm houses. The preferred plot sizes were in the range of 200 to 350 sq yard and a majority of the respondents had a budget of Rs 2.5 lakh to 7.5 lakh. The study was a part of the feasibility report being prepared by the consortium of
ICICI, CB Richard Ellis and RR Financial Ltd for Anandgarh project. |
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Euphoria-2001 begins amid
controversy Chandigarh, March 22 The resident doctors, however, have threatened to boycott the entire function and even go on a strike if they were not allowed to participate in what they term as a college function, The problem started following an official circular issued by the GMCH Medical Superintendent, Prof Raj Bahadur, who is also the chairman of organising committee of Euphoria -2001. As per the circular, only the students doing their under-graduation were permitted to participate in the various programmes including the dance party. The circular further adds that only the students having an identity card would be permitted to attend the dance party. The junior and senior residents from the GMCH, Sector 32, as well as from any other institution have been asked not to participate in this and stern action would be initiated against the violaters. Prof Raj Bahadur said resident doctors were permitted to participate in all the programmes, except for the dance party. He said it is a function of and for the undergraduate medical students and not for the doctors, staff or any of the faculty, members. He further added that the management was taking this step only to avoid any untoward incident and maintain the decorum of the party. Meanwhile, the function was inaugurated by Mr R.S. Gujral, Home Secretary and Secretary, Medical Education and Research, today evening. Speaking on the occasion, Mr Gujral highlighted the importance of extra curricular activities in the curriculum of medical sciences. The chief organiser of Euphoria 2001, Mr Akash Jindal, gave details of various functions to be organised, including the Gurdas Mann Nite which is scheduled to be held tomorrow. The inaugural function was marked by a colourful cultural programme presented by students of the GMCH which included ‘Euphorigraphy’, a choreography on the theme, “Exult in Ecstasy”, group dance and instrumental music. Also present on the occasion were Prof S.B.S. Mann, Director-Principal, GMCH. |
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Jerath
gets bail finally Chandigarh, March 22 The order was issued after an application was moved by Jerath, asking for a bail on the basis of the orders passed by the Supreme Court on March 19. The apex court, in its judgement, had said, “Considering that the petitioner is in custody since November 27, 1998, we think that it is appropriate to release him on bail.” Today, the ADSJ directed Jerath against leaving the city without permission of the court and not to influence the prosecution witnesses or tamper with the evidence directly or indirectly. He was also asked not to cause any impediment in the progress of the trial in any manner. Earlier, in his petition before the apex court, Jerath had stated that, out of the 59 accused, all except him had been granted bail. Jerath had also said that he had surrendered before the court after failing to obtain an anticipatory bail. The counsel for the petitioner had said that Jerath had been framed in false cases by disgruntled contractors. The works, he said, were always allotted after seeking tenders through the Press in accordance with rules. The counsel had also said that the prosecution had cited 179 witnesses, but charges had still not been framed. He had said that the cases were still at the stage of supply and examination of documents. |
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Bonded labourers
speak Chandigarh, March 22 Nanwai and Hari Singh from Bilaspur (Madhya Pradesh) came to Punjab last year.” We worked at a brick kiln in Jalandhar district. We expected a minimum rate of Rs 164 per 1000 bricks. However, we were not paid our due sums. Even, pending sums were never released,” they said. Nanwai said that she remembered to have been freed on december 16 following intervention by the Peoples Vigilance Committee. She said that they lived at the committee accommodation at Phillaur and felt “ free from bonds”. Manoj Kumar from Bihar said that he worked at a farm for 14 months but was not paid. I was beaten up. Someone recommended me the name of the vigilance committee following which I came here. Rajender Kumar from Dehradun said he had to run away from a brick kiln near Una in Himachal Pradesh. He walked one full day to Hoshiarpur before managing to run away to Phillaur. I was having serious trouble at my home but there has been no respite here in Punjab as well, he added. Mr Jai Singh, chairman of the committee, said he had highlighted over 1,000 cases to the concerned agencies of the government but only four cases had been taken-up for relief. Everyone accepted the
existing problems but nothing serious has been done. Punjab, which is a promised land to hundreds of migrants, is also a land which witnessed heavy migration itself and Hoshiarpur district witnessed largest migration to foreign lands particularly to the UK, USA and Canada said Mr Justice V.K. Khanna, Chairman of the Punjab State Human Rights Commission, while addressing a workshop.“Ludhiana alone was home to more than 250 illegal colonies of migrant labour. They share shanties in shifts in a large number of cases. When one was on duty at his work place other had the luxury to rest. It is a vexed problem”, he said. The NGOs, trade unions and social research organisations needed to join hands to work out an achievable agenda for beneficial results, he added. Dr Justice K Ramaswamy, a member of the National Human Rights Commission, in his inaugural address said that the problem of migrant labour had its base in illiteracy and ignorance of rights. They leave their home to shift to a land of possible dreams. In majority of cases they witness exploitation and poorer conditions. Justice Ramaswamy said there were estimated 15 lakh bonded labourers in Punjab and 10 lakh each in Delhi and Haryana. Even during times of terrorism, we have them working out for a living in Jammu and Kashmir. Bihar, Orissa, tamil nadu and Uttar Pradesh were some of the most economically backward areas which saw migration to ‘greener lands’. Mr Balram Ji Das Tandon, Labour Minister, Punjab, said the state had settled over 6,000 cases in Lok Adalats. He said that similar programmes would assist in identifying the real issues and possible solutions. Prof Ashok Sahni, DUI , said presenting agitating farmers at the workshop was a laudable effort of the organisers in allowing a closer look at the real existing conditions in the field. He said migration was basically a global phenomenon which has continued since centuries. Punjab no doubt occupied a special place, both in matters of migrating self and allowing migrants to settle here. Prof Gopal Iyer, Department of Sociology, spoke on the focus of the workshop. The workshop would specifically examine other interface of migrant labour and crime in the context of migrant labour and crime in context of the overall crime situation. One should be on guard on generalising the phenomenon of crime with any specific class or category . Another issue was health status of the migrants which has picked eyes of the scholars and policy makers. Prof Raj Mohini Sethi, Chairperson of the Department of Sociology, welcomed the guests. Dr K.C. Kayastha proposed the vote of thanks. |
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SPEAKING
OUT Chandigarh, March 22 When Chandigarh Tribune met some cricket players who have played in the national-level sub-junior tournaments in the Sector 8 DAV Senior Secondary School coaching centre today, all looked jubilant after this victory. Naresh Kumar, a left-arm batsman and medium pacer, said when Aussies landed on the Indian soil, nobody had thought we would win like this. He said the spin bowling had dominated the series till the last day. About India’s chances in one-dayers, Naresh said, “With such a balanced team, we can expect a good performance from India. Another cricketer, Awijit Singh, said the Indian wickets always helped spinners. He said all members of the Indian team should play like V.V.S. Laxman and Harbhajan Singh, but such consistency was difficult to maintain. Awijit is a wicket-keeper batsman. Rajnish Sharma, another talented player, said, though luck had favoured Indians, it was their determination that had made them finish the test series with a 2-1 win. Rajnish, a left-arm spinner and middle-order batsman, was happy at the way spinners had dominated the series. He said, though Harbhajan and Laxman had returned to the Indian team after a long time, they had turned the series in India’s favour. Vishal Devraj, a right-arm leg-spin bowler, said the slow Indian pitches had helped the spin bowlers claim so many wickets, but such performance would be hard to achieve on foreign soils. Vishal said test cricket was the real test of a cricketer. He was happy that youngsters had come to the rescue of Indian cricket. Tanjeet Singh, an all-rounder, said the fine technique of Harbhajan had bewildered the Aussies who had constantly remained under pressure, especially in the second and the third tests. Tanjeet said he hoped the team would perform better in one-dayers, since its morale was now up. Narinder Khokhar, a fast bowler and middle-order batsman, said in the last two tests, the kind of cricket played by both teams had been unimaginable. He said the pressure built up by Indian bowlers had been encashed by Indian batsmen. |
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10 councillors yet to exhaust ward
fund Chandigarh, March 22 1 Satinder Dhawan 29.46 24. 28 2 Prem
Sagar 19.78 14. 30 3 Des
Raj 35.58 22.
66 4 Raghubir
Lal 17.44 13. 57 5 K
K Adiwal 27.81 22.77 6 R.
Singh 30.34 17. 54 7 Kanhya
Lal 33.03 20.69 8 Kamala 24.92 22. 55 9 Harjinder
Kaur 23.56 14. 7 10 Bachan
Singh 10.97 7. 39 This came out during a meeting held here today to review the progress of the developmental works in ward nos 1 to 10 convened by the Chief Engineer, Mr Puranjit Singh. In the meeting, each councillor was given details about the schemes approved upto February 28, 2001, the estimates sanctioned in the last four years and the amount which will be spent till March 31, 2001. The councillors were also given an opportunity to point out the
difficulties being faced by them in getting certain sanctioned works executed so that the officials concerned can take note of the same. While providing details about works undertaken under various heads, the delay in carrying out certain works was also pointed out. The Municipal Corporation has allocated a total sum of Rs 25 lakhs to each councillor under the ward development fund till March 31, 2001. According to figures available, Mrs Satinder Dhawan will be spending Rs 24. 28 lakhs in her ward No: 1 till March 31; Mr Prem Sagar Jain who will spend Rs 14.30 lakhs in ward No: 2; Mr Des Raj Tandon ( Rs 22. 66 lakhs in ward no: 3); Mr R.L Arora ( Rs 13. 57 lakhs in ward No; 4); Mr K.K Adiwal ( Rs 22.77 lakhs in ward No; 5); Mr R.S Bedi ( 17.54 lakhs in ward no: 6); Mr kanhya lal Sharma ( Rs 20. 69 lakhs in ward No: 7); Mrs Kamala Sharma ( Rs 22. 55 lakhs in ward No: 8) ; Mrs Harjinder Kaur ( Rs 14. 70 lakhs in ward No: 9) and Mr Bachan Singh ( 7. 39 lakhs in ward No: 10). The details of the first 10 wards in the city show that while the Congress councillor, Mrs Satinder Dhawan has already spent most of the allocated amount on various developmental works, Councillor Bachan Singh has only spent Rs 7.39 lakhs in his ward, which is just one third of the total allocated amount. The Chief Engineer, has asked the councillors to submit proposals for various schemes so that the same are undertaken from the balance amount by the end of this month. A sum of Rs 10 lakhs will be sanctioned under the fund in the forthcoming financial year beginning from April 1, 2001. Mr Des Raj Tandon will be sending proposals worth Rs 2.50, the balance amount which is yet to be spent before March 31. He also urged the MC to develop a green belt in Sector 22 behind the coal depot and the place adjacent to Shastri Market. Mr Prem Sagar Jain expressed satisfaction at the work undertaken in the back lanes of Sectors 15 and 16 and pointed out that work in 27 of these back lanes is already complete and the remaining will be completed shortly. Mrs Satinder Dhawan has exhausted almost all the allocated funds in recarpeting the roads and developing the parks and parking areas in her ward. Councillors are of the view that the details provided in the meeting will help them to plan the future works of their wards before the end of this year, which will also mark the expiry of the tenure of the House. |
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Brigadier deposes before
GCM Chandigarh, March 22 Brigadier Singh, who was commanding 70 Brigade during the Kargil operations, is the first witness to be examined since the trial commenced last week. Brigadier Singh, while stating that GOC 3 Division had released two companies, including one being commanded by Major Bhatnagar, to him for assaulting the feature, said that orders for the attack, which was likely to commence in four to five days, were to be given at the base of Point 5203. On being told to induct his company, Major Bhatnagar, according to the brigade commander's statement, said that he and his men were unfit for attack and could at best be deployed on defensive positions. Brigadier Singh deposed that he told the accused officer that as his specific requirements were not being met, he would have to raise the issue with the GOC, Maj-Gen V. S. Budhwar. He added that he also inquired at that point if 24 to 48 hours of rest would be sufficient. The Brigadier stated before the court that Major Bhatnagar told him that more time would be required along with leave. On re-confirmation, Major Bhatnagar told the brigade commander that the issue could be raised with the GOC. Brigadier Singh said that he appraised the GOC of the situation and the GOC told him that he would speak to Major Bhatnagar during his visit to the brigade's tactical HQs the next day. Major Bhatnagar was introduced to the GOC on his arrival the next day and, Brigadier Singh told the court, the proceedings between the two were not held in his presence. The GOC, he added, left after talking to the accused officer and told him that he would be informed on what further action was to be taken. He also said that two other officers, Major Niamatullah and Capt S. S. Bisht, were present when the GOC was talking to Major Bhatnagar, but they moved in and out for a few minutes. During the cross-examination by the defence, the Brigadier said that though situation reports (sit-reps) on the ongoing operations were prepared daily and forwarded to Division HQs, these were prepared by a staff officer (G-3) at the brigade HQs located in the rear, since he himself along with his deputy commandant and the brigade-major were operating from forward positions. He added that there was a possibility of certain omissions in the sit-reps generated by the G-3, but there were other channels of communication to the Division HQs. The court also witnessed heated arguments between the defence and the Judge Advocate (JA) on several occasions during the cross-examination of the witness. The defence again alleged that the JA was acting as a prosecutor. |
Dial 95 for all stations in 200-km radius Chandigarh, March 22 At the moment about 6 different dialing codes — 911, 912, 918, 90, 92 and 95 — exist for townships which fall in the local dialing zone in the Chandigarh telecom District. The pulse rate will be 3 minutes for each call. The new scheme shall come into force from 1 p.m. tomorrow. The department officials said the stations which are already on the 95 dialing scheme since January 26 will continue to have the same code and the changes introduced now are to bring about uniformity.
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Traffic cops to be stationed near schools Chandigarh, March 22 This information was given by the UT Inspector General of Police, Mr B.S. Bassi, while talking to mediapersons here today. He said though most of the students avoid using cars and other two wheelers to school, they were using these vehicles during their evening ‘outings’. He said though the police was doing its bit to stop driving by underage persons, the parents, teachers and school principals should also come forward to stop this practice. He recommended that the schools should set up a voluntary force to keep tabs on the students who could be using two wheelers for commuting to and from school and parking them at places other than the school parking areas. Mr Bassi said in spite of the fact that almost 70 to 80 challans were issued to youngsters for driving without helmets and to those driving without the proper licences, it was only through the conscientious efforts of the parents and school authorities that they could be able to curb this menace. Meanwhile, it is learnt that the Senior Superintendent of Police, Mr Parag Jain, has called a meeting of the various school principals to discuss the issue. As many as 200 principals of various schools will be attending this meeting. The police will be seeking their cooperation to check this dangerous trend. |
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IG seeks report in
Golden Forest case Chandigarh, March 22 It is learnt that the UT IG has asked the Economic Offences Wing to send a fact file of the case and explain why there has been a delay in registering cases against the company. It may be noted that as many as 29 complaints from the residents of the city who had invested their money in the company had accused the company of duping them. Other than this around 100 cases from different parts of Punjab had also been registered . While the cases pertaining to Punjab had been sent there, the cases pertaining to the city are still pending. |
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Washing line for city
railway station soon Chandigarh, March 22 Civil work is almost done and is expected to be complete within the next week. Two concrete railings run parallel to the railway track thus enabling washing and repair of the bogies. A railway track will to be laid shortly. The washing line is coming up on same direction where the goods wagon come and berth. Till now washing facilities existed only in Kalka and due to this long distance trains could not be extended up to Chandigarh. Several times a proposal to start long distance trains had to be dropped due to want of terminal facilities. |
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MC staff hold
rallies Chandigarh, March 22 Their demands include amendment in the MC ACT 428 (H) for treating the transferred MC employees on deputation to the Chandigarh Administration; technical scales to be given to left out categories; bonus for three years to be given; employment be given on compassionate ground; and uniform for class III and IV employees. The rally was addressed by leaders of the ITI Qualified Workers Association, the Sweepers Union and the Sewerage Employees Union. |
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Balwant develops
fever Chandigarh, March 22 According to the information available from police sources, it is learnt that the accused has developed high grade fever after the operation. He was to be shifted to the Burail Jail today. However, the team of doctors treating him have recommended that he be kept under observation till the fever subside. Balwant Singh had been brought to the hospital on March 19 under tight security. The team of doctors led by Dr Raj Bahadur had operated upon him. The police has also made elaborate security arrangements in and around the hospital for the entire duration for which Balwant would be lodged here. |
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SBI officers strike work Chandigarh, March 22 Today, the association staged a dharna in front of the local head office here. The employees demands included increase in allowances viz officiating allowance, deputation allowance, closing allowance, lunch allowance etc, compensation for additional work. |
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Five hurt in mishap Chandigarh, March 22 |
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Baisakhi Fest from April 12 Chandigarh, March 22 |
Assault case transferred to Crime Branch Chandigarh, March 22 Earlier, after much deliberation between the Chandigarh and the Panchkula Police over the jurisdiction of the case, a case under Sections 323, 325 and 34 of the IPC was registered at the Manimajra Police Station yesterday. The complainant, Mr Hari Das Garg had alleged that three car-borne men had called him out of the Yoga Mandir and had fled after beating him up. He had sustained a fracture in one of his legs and had been admitted to the PGI for treatment. The Mayor, Mr Goel , had, however, denied having any links with the miscreants. Burglary According to the FIR registered under Sections 457 and 380 of the IPC at the Sector 31 Police Station, the proprietor of the GMT Shoe Company on the Ambala Road opposite the Khandelia Oil Company , Mr Ravijeet Singh, alleged that someone had broken the lock of the gate and then stolen the cash and other goods. However, the number of the shoes stolen could not be ascertained. Electric cable stolen Minor girl abducted Thief nabbed The cycle belonged to Baldev Singh and was reportedly stolen by the accused yesterday morning from the Sector 11 market. The cycle was recovered from Gujjar Ali at around 10.30 p.m. last night from the same market. A case under Sections 379 and 411 of the IPC has been registered. Accidents In another case, a mother and her son were injured when their scooter was hit by a car near the Sector 38 gurdwara. Rakesh Rani and her son, Himanshu Goel, were hurt and have been admitted to the PGI for treatment. Another unknown cyclist was injured when he was hit by a car in Sector 29, today afternoon. He has been admitted to the PGI for treatment. One arrested According to information, the incident happened when a Punjab police constable Ram Singh restrained Dharam Singh, who was allegedly helping his relatives in cheating of Class X examination in Government High School on Wednesday. As the constable asked the boy not to create nuisance outside the examination hall, he exchanged arguments which resulted in a brawl. A case under Sections 186 and 353 of the IPC has been registered against the accused.
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Kitty women allege fraud SAS Nagar, March 22 The alleged victims — Ms Manjit Kaur Virk, Ms Ravinder Midha, Ms Inderpreet Kaur and Mr J.S. Sandhu, told mediapersons here that the woman had first made friends with their families to win their confidence. Later, she started collecting small amounts of money from them for a kitty scheme and this amount finally reached Rs 1 lakh. She also used to borrow money from the women she had befriended, on the assurance that it would be returned. They said even after more than a year of this now, neither the kitty amount nor the borrowed money had been returned to them. They said Ms Virk had been cheated of Rs 3.20 lakh, Ms Midha of Rs 2.50 lakh, Ms Inderpreet Kaur of Rs 1.87 lakh and Ms Jagdeepak Sandhu, wife of Mr J.S. Sandhu, of Rs 1.45 lakh. They said at least three others had been cheated of Rs 3.25 lakh, Rs 2.60 lakh and Rs 50,000, respectively. They alleged that the woman had not revealed the list of the members of the kitty scheme to them, but she used to visit the members to collect the money. They feared that many more women might have been cheated in this manner. They said they had complained to the Punjab Vigilance Department, the DGP and the Ropar SSP in this connection. The SSP had got their statements recorded, but no action had been taken so far. They said they would stage a dharna if they did not get back their money. Mr Hardeep Singh an SGPC member, who was also present at the press conference, said the authorities concerned should take appropriate action now, instead of waiting for the affected persons to resort to protests. |
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